Seasonal Variation in Peptic Ulcer related Upper Gastrointestinal Bleed: Ten Years Experience from Northern India

Abstract

Introduction: Available literature has shown a seasonal variation with contradictory results in the occurrence of peptic ulcer bleed. Data on this issue is lacking from this part of the world.Objectives:The aim of this study was to see whether frequency of the peptic ulcer bleed varies with the monthly and seasonal climatic changes during the year in our setting.Additionally whether can we define a particular time of the year as high risk for peptic ulcer bleed.Materials and Methods: Data of all the patients with diagnosis of peptic ulcer bleed who presented to our endoscopy centre from January 2010 to December 2019 was retrieved and analysed. The demographic data, clinical presentations, and seasonal and monthly variation was analyzed.Results: A total of 4811 patients were diagnosed as peptic ulcer bleed out of a total of 10800 patients presenting with upper gastrointestinal bleed. Mean age of the patients was 44.5 ± 17.2 years with more males (58 %) than females (42 %). The majority of peptic ulcer bleed patients (48 5%) were seen between April to June months of the year. Spring season had the maximum number of peptic ulcer bleed patients.Conclusion: There is a definite variation in the occurrence of peptic ulcer related UGI bleed but the pattern we found is unique and different to the literature reported.